Dead, pregnant endangered fin whale found on bow of Alaska cruise ship

A dead pregnant endangered fin whale was found draped over the bow of Royal Caribbean Group’s cruise ship Ovation of the Seas in Seward, Alaska, on June 19. The 14-deck vessel, carrying more than 4,000 passengers, had arrived with tourists after a scenic voyage. NOAA Fisheries Alaska says the whale was freshly dead in good nutritional condition and was towed to a local beach for examination. While the official cause of death is still pending, preliminary necropsy results indicated blunt force trauma to the jaw, spine, and ribs consistent with a vessel strike. The U.S. law enforcement investigation is ongoing. In a statement, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said the company is cooperating fully with NOAA and will partner after final findings. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, killing a protected whale during a vessel strike is classified as a “take,” though enforcement depends on the investigation.